Comstock/Thinkstock(MICHIGAN CITY, Ind.) -- A boy who appeared to be about 8-years-old showed signs of life after he was pulled from a large sand dune on an Indiana beach that was possibly undermined by a sinkhole, the local fire chief said.

The boy, who had been trapped for more than three hours, was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in Michigan City, the local fire chief, Ronnie Martin, told ABC News.

The incident occurred on a Lake Michigan beach near Mount Baldy, according to Mark Baker, also of the Michigan City Fire Department, and officials learned of the emergency at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time.

The Michigan City Fire and Police Departments and lake rangers were on the scene of the rescue, Baker said.